MCALLEN, TX – A
federal jury in McAllen,
Texas, has convicted Edgar Hinojosa, aka EWOK,
of Brownsville, Texas, on both counts as charged
in relation to a cocaine trafficking conspiracy,
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special
Agent in Charge Javier
F. Peña and
United States Attorney
Kenneth Magidson announced today. After three
days of trial and approximately four hours
of deliberations, the jury convicted Hinojosa,
35, of conspiracy as well as possession with
intent to distribute more than 20 kilograms
of cocaine.

Hinojosa was charged in an indictment returned
on March 7, 2012. While he was the only defendant
named in the indictment, Hinojosa had been
implicated by a number of other defendants
in other indictments, five of whom testified
for the government at trial.

During the trial, which began on Wednesday,
the government presented photos, financial
documents and a short video all illustrating
evidence of Hinojosa’s illegal activities.
Testimony was further offered by law enforcement
officers with several agencies involved in
the case.

Hinojosa was a former bodyguard for Hector
Manuel Sauceda- Gamboa, aka KARIS, a now deceased
Gulf Cartel plaza boss in Reynosa, Mexico.
Evidence at trial demonstrated Hinojosa operated
a narcotics trafficking organization responsible
for transporting multi-ton quantities of cocaine
from Brownsville to Houston. His organization
was also responsible for transporting millions
of dollars of drug proceeds from Houston to
the Gulf Cartel in Matamoros, Mexico.

Previously released on bond, Hinojosa fled
and did not appear in court for the third
day of trial on Friday. He is considered a
fugitive and a warrant remains outstanding
for his arrest. Anyone with information as
to his whereabouts is asked to contact the
FBI at 956-546-6922. At sentencing, he faces
a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison
as well as a $4 million fine.